U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) has announced his support for the Health Care Freedom for Patients Act, also known as the Crapo-Cassidy plan, which aims to make health care more affordable. Graham voted in favor of this proposal and against a Senate Democrats’ plan that would have extended Covid-era Obamacare subsidies.
Graham criticized the extension of these subsidies, stating, “Extending Covid-era Obamacare subsidies without reform was an easy ‘no’ vote. These subsidies have exploded in cost over the past few years, padding the pockets of large health insurance companies instead of helping patients.”
He further commented on the effectiveness of current programs: “I would like to help deliver better health care to Americans. It doesn’t help anyone by continuing to send taxpayer dollars to insurance companies instead of patients or to have a program that’s riddled with fraud and lacks income caps.”
Addressing the proposed three-year extension led by Senator Schumer, Graham said, “The three-year Schumer extension does not include any necessary common sense reforms. That should be offensive to people who are rightfully demanding more affordable health care and better government.”
Graham expressed his support for the Crapo-Cassidy plan by saying, “To that end, I proudly voted for Senators Crapo and Cassidy’s proposal that made needed reforms and allows for the reinstatement of income caps. People making $300,000 a year should not be getting subsidies from the government. The Crapo-Cassidy plan will take taxpayer dollars away from insurance companies to give to patients via health savings accounts. This proposal would lower costs and improve quality of care.”
He concluded with hopes for bipartisan cooperation: “I hope we can find a bipartisan solution before the end of the year. But that will depend on if Senate Democrats are so wedded to Obamacare that they insist on the status quo.”
